Indian designer Manish Malhotra's creations embody Indian heritage

Plus: Bhagat denies Salman rejected him; Kashyap talks struggle for creative control; Deshpande bemoans song numbers.

The Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra, second from left, at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week in New Delhi. IANS
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The renowned Indian fashion designer Manish Malhotra has been working with local artisans to give his new Kashmir-inspired line Gulaala & Giltoor an authentic feel. "India has a rich heritage and culture," he said on the sidelines of Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week. "I have been promoting Indian handicrafts through my collections with the idea of making these crafts more popular and influencing people to wear them." Malhotra's autumn/winter range, which took to the Delhi runway on Friday, was titled Threads of Emotions and prominently featured phulkari embroidery from the Punjab region. All eyes are now on the designer's forthcoming collection for Lakmé Fashion Week, which runs from Thursday to Tuesday. "I am celebrating 100 years of Indian cinema with my show," he explained. "After that, I am going to Vancouver for The Times of India Film Awards. My new stores in Mumbai and New Delhi are also keeping me busy." – IANS

Kashyap talks about his struggle for creative control

The filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, the co-producer of Vikramaditya Motwane's new movie Lootera, admits that his relationship with the director is a challenging one. "I always have this problem with Vikramaditya's films," he said. "Whatever films he makes, I feel that he should quit and give it to me to direct." Kashyap says he has a new-found admiration for loyal cinema-goers, whose cultural appetites are ever evolving. "I feel we are moving in a very good direction – our audience, our cinema, everything is going in a direction where people are not scared of new kinds of scripts." – IANS

Chetan Bhagat: Salman Khan did not reject me

Chetan Bhagat, the writer of the forthcoming film Kick, is refuting rumours that the Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has rejected the first draft of his script. "I haven't even met with Salman," Bhagat told reporters. "The script isn't done yet." A source close to Khan's camp revealed the star is anything but in meddling mode. "He is maintaining a hands-off attitude," a source told IANS. "It's true that nowadays Salman approves everything – from the script to the director and cameraman and co-stars – before a project takes off. But Kick is entirely his buddy Sajid Nadiadwala's baby and Salman is treating it that way." – IANS

Makarand Deshpande bemoans songs in films

Despite the fact that the actor--director Makarand Deshpande shot a song-and-dance video for his latest directorial venture Sona Spa, he doesn't believe that such numbers can help a film achieve success. "They are pointless and give the wrong message to the audience," Deshpande told reporters. "If the audience wants to see a song, they will watch it on YouTube. Why would they come to a theatre just for a song?" Titled Hum Neend Ka Business Karte Hain, the track was sung by Asha Bhosle and Sudesh Bhonsle. Naseeruddin Shah has the lead role in the movie, which tackles the issue of sleep disorders. Sona Spa is scheduled to release in India on Friday. – IANS